"Doha" Doha by bangkokjim

I lived in Doha on a contract to work for two years. It was an interesting experience for me to be living in the Arab Gulf as I was more acquainted with the Levant countries more ( Syria, Jordan)-
I had my own flat on a busy road, convenient to all the shops and discount supermarkets. Doha has some rather modern and interesting Arab style architecture- (not just the ubiquitous functional type one sees in other countries, especially Thai cities) and several round abouts which serve as landmarks as to where to tell the taxi driver where you are going ( followed by their usual "inshallah")
Most of the big salaried people as well as locals live in very luxurious looking villas, all with a high wall so snoopy eyes like mine can't peer in and spy some of the women (?) walking around.

It is a very male oriented society. Rarely would I see females around in the streets except for some Palestinian looking women wearing hijab or "chador" clad women in black from head to toe, with just a slit for her to see through. Different culture! I felt a real comraderie and companionship with local males there which I can't explain - but most Western male male friendships don't have that same feeling.

Once leaving the city centre one is greeted by the desert. It is a strong and powerful feeling to be in the desert. So silent, and so calming - yet so powerful! My Qatari friends would take me to the desert for an overnight tent camping party- food , tea and fun!

I missed walking around the old "Souqs" ( Arab markets) in Doha. It feels one steps back into time and Arabian nights when going into the old ones ( of course there are the ultra modern ones too)- different spices, jalabas to buy, sweets, music, tea shops, all really novel and fun!
Corniche- is an area which people stroll around - located near the Gulf waterside, one can see all kinds of faces whilst strolling with your friends. In the summer months the humidity could be so exhausting! There are some up scale restaurants and 'sheesha" places along the Corniche too. I prefer the ones my local friends would take me instead in the middle of the night. They were hole in the wall places, with Umm Kalthoum style music playing as we chattered the hours away smoking sheesha and drinking Karak tea until the wee hours! OH! such NOSTALGIA!
I am longing to go there again.